the stock market took its cues once again from washington and the rhetoric over the fiscal cliff. it was the fifth straight session of gains, with the buyers out at the opening bell. the index lost some momentum around 2:30 eastern time, something traders blame on comments from senate majority leader harry reid. reid said it would be extremely difficult to get legislation averting the fiscal cliff through the senate before christmas. with today's seven-tenths of a percent gain, it brings the index back to a level last seen on election day. for the year, its up 13.5%. trading volume increased to 691 million shares; just over 1.9 billion shares on the nasdaq. the technology sector was back in the leader position, up 1.4%. health care and telecommunications were up 1%. with the tech sector up, apple was helping out as it rebounded a little from its recent sell- off, but on lighter volume. shares rose 2.1%. piper jaffray's apple analyst predicts a more steady stock rally next year, and he's sticking with his $900 price target. it was a pair of business software firms that had the best